Animals Up Close and Personal in Dominican Republic

Exotic birds, Monkeys, Whales, Dolphins, this isn't the animal channel, It sounds like Dominican Republic.

You'd better be okay with animals if your spending time in Dominican Republic. Animals are just as much a part of society as people are. Stray dogs roam the streets, sometimes in flocks. Cats will fight any other cats that come near them, or dogs at that. Roasters crow sounds all morning, and till the early afternoons. Birds sing all the while and communicate with each other throughout the day. The animals don't attack or bother anyone, they simply just go about their day in peace. There are animals that we may hear from a distance, or that we see passing by. A dog sitting outside of a food spot in hopes for a feeding. Then there are animals that are worth the visit to go see up close and personal, or at a safe distance. Then there are those odd incidents when an animal may just show up at your doorstep or flies in on your balcony lol.  

There are many different birds species in Dominican Republic. With 322 exotic birds that are in their environment, and 33 are endemic which means they only live here. There are so many cool birds that make for great TV and would only get to see on animal channel or some YouTube video. Birds like Parrots, Toucans, Brown Pelican, Flamingos, Magnificent frigatebird, and Threskiornithidae to name a few. I’ve seen a handful of Parrots and the Palmchat bird, which is the National bird of Dominican Republic.  

The pet stores have a decent selection of different types of bird species for purchase. They have birds from the country as well as from Australia and Africa. The prices are a fraction of what they go for in North America. A Parrot here goes for around $200usd. We bought 2 lovebirds from a local pet store some months ago. The lovebirds were about $50usd. 

By putting the birds on the balcony (in cage), the birds would communicate with other birds from a distance. One day from the corner of my eye, I saw something blue fly by on the balcony. Our birds were on the balcony in their cage, but I also was hearing a different sound other than the familiar sounds of our birds. When I got up to look, I noticed it was a different bird. This bird was bright blue and sang a beautiful tone. I don't know the type of bird it was, but it seemed like it was someone's house bird that flew away. The bird would fly away once we went on the balcony to see it, but only to fly right back, it was like this bird wanted to be captured. Eventually this blue bird allowed my lady to grab him. This bird was thirsty and was hungry, so we gave the bird a home, fed him and after a day we let him go. Here and there we would see him on a cable wire with some other birds and pigeons. 

3 Amazing Animal Experiences

There are many places to visit to see animals in Dominican Republic, even better there are places all over the country where you don't have to see them behind a glass wall, but yet in their natural environment. With that being said, here are 3 amazing experiences for the visitors that stand out: 

Monkey Jungle

Although Monkeys are not native to Dominican Republic. However, the squirrel monkey was introduced at a later time and has since established itself quite fine. Whether their arrival was accidental or deliberate, monkeys have played a role in boosting the tourism sector, contributing to the economy. For those who would like to be up close and personal with the monkeys, a place called Monkey Jungle located on the north of the island would be a great choice. Monkey jungle is a tourist place where travelers that want to get up close with the monkeys would love. First off, Monkey jungle is a medical and dental service for the unfortunates of Dominican Republic and Haiti. This organization offers two different tourist activities to fund their charitable work for those in need. One activity is that they supply the food for visitors to feed the monkeys, and the other is a ride on the sip line.  

Humpback whale in Dominican Republic

Humpback whales grace the waters of the Dominican Republic with their majestic presence each winter. Their annual migration to the warm Caribbean seas, particularly the Silver Bank located between the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos, offers a prime opportunity for whale watching enthusiasts. Here, visitors have the chance to observe the breathtaking sight of humpback whales leaping out of the water, tail slapping, and melodic singing, creating unforgettable memories for those fortunate enough to witness these magnificent creatures.  

ocean world adventure park

Dolphins are also a common sight in the waters surrounding the Dominican Republic. Various species, such as bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins call these warm Caribbean waters home. Visitors have the opportunity to partake in dolphin watching tours and engage in swims with them in specific areas. There are many places to swim with dolphins from Puerto Plata to Punta Cana. A great way of spending the afternoon, a fun and amazing time that all can enjoy.  

It’s inspiring to see when foreigners come to a new country and look to make a positive impact on other people's lives. That's why I like what Monkey Jungle is all about (not an endorsement either). Whether watching the humpback whales, swimming with the dolphins or up close and personal with the monkeys can all be enjoyed throughout this Caribbean Island.